Coffee Break Newsletter Masthead

February 9, 2026


Send announcements for the Coffee Break (employee) or Solutions (student) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by end of day Wednesday to appear in next week’s issues.

Join Coffee Hour Wednesday, February 11, 9 a.m. for strategic plan updates from Assistant Provost Kirk Robinson: Find the Zoom link and more Coffee Hour resources or contact the team at innovation@sage.edu.

Upgrades coming to College Services, no production February 10-11:

Please plan ahead to have jobs finished before or after this time.

Please Encourage Students to Apply for Academic Awards:


Graduate Assistant requests due March 6: To request a graduate assistant for 2026-2027, please fill out the GA Request form, even if you have been awarded positions in the past. Allocation decisions will be made in the provost’s office and supervisors will be notified of the allocations by March 30. Please email Kathy McLaughlin with questions.

 

What’s New

 
nine people standing in front of a wall with copper geometric sculptures

CSTEP at Sage Helps Students Connect with Competitive Pre-Med Opportunities


Samira Sefadine ’28 (third from left) and Dua Sadiq ’28 (fifth from left) participated in the inaugural ACHIEVE Internship program at Albany Medical College for undergraduate students thinking about medical school or a similar program. As part of the internship, they shadowed medical students, faculty, and other professionals over the first week of the medical college’s spring term. They were both considered for this opportunity in part due to their achievements with CSTEP at Russell Sage. Read more about their experience.

In the News and Around the Web


Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Erin Elkins shared her expertise on pelvic floor health with CBS 6 for a segment on healthy bathroom habits.


Opalka Gallery’s current exhibition, Undoings, was named one of Hyperallergic’s 10 art shows to see in upstate New York this February. Also, look for an interview with the exhibition’s artist, Barbara Todd, on the Art Town podcast.

 

Way to Go!

 

Did you know the PT behind the US Men's Olympic Ski Team is a Sage grad? Read more in this 2024 Q&A with Vincent Corrado, DPT.

💖 Share Hearts and High-Fives on the Wall of Wins


Celebrate your February victories on the Wall of Wins:


“A big thank you to Justin Allison from Facilities for special help to the Solutions/Financial Aid Office in Albany! Justin came up to rescue a bat that was hiding in our paper recycling! He humanely boxed the bat and called Animal Rescue so it could be safely removed and relocated. This was probably not on his agenda for the day, but we are so grateful that he stepped up!”

Basketball player wearing a black GATORS jersey with the number 3 dribbling a basketball on a court

More E8 Honors for Student-Athletes


Women‘s Basketball student-athlete Layla Acosta was the Empire 8 Conference’s Player of the Week for the week ending February 1.


Congratulations also to the 16 teams and 79 student-athletes on the conference’s fall 2025 Presidents’ List.

Do you have news to share? Send it to newsletter@sage.edu.

 

Tech Check From IT

 

Check your email for the first Security Awareness Training for 2026. Please complete it by March 13.

Access past issues of IT's newsletter in the Sage Guard Newsletter repository.

 

HR Corner

 

Invest in your relationships with these relationship tips from HR and the EAP.

From HR: Upcoming Learning Opportunities


Sign up for Care for the Caregiver (Part of CDPHP's Wellness Series)

Wednesday, February 11, noon, Zoom


Sign up for CPR and First Aid Training

Wednesday, February 18, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Bush Memorial, Troy


✨JUST ADDED: Register for Home Buying 101 with Broadview Federal Credit Union. February 23, noon, online. 


✨ JUST ADDED: Register for Heart Health in Women: How Metabolic and Kidney Health Affect Your Heart from CDPHP and Ovia Health.

February 26, noon, online.


Sign up for Mental Health First Aid: This is a blended course with a two-hour, self-paced online portion to be completed before the in-person training. Lunch provided. Wednesday, March 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Cowee IV Classroom, Troy


Also explore online classes on Talkspace Go (use organization code ESIEAP).

 

Events

 
red paper hearts on a white background

Project Cupid

Monday, February 9, noon-2 p.m.,

Buchman, Troy


Please join the Biology and Health Sciences department and Student Activities to make valentines for residents of local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Men’s Volleyball vs. Elms College

Wednesday, February 11, 6 p.m.,

KCC, Albany


Admission to home athletic events is free; Come out and support our student-athletes!

A quilt composed of squares and rectangles in dark dark and light brown, black, and navy

Barbara Todd: Undoings

Opalka Gallery, Albany campus


Friday, February 13, 6:30, PechaKucha.

Short talks by interesting people.


See the digital guide and more events.


Pictured: Barbara Todd, Home, 1997, wool (pieced and hand quilted)

WEEKLY EVENTS


MONDAYS


Register for Hot Yoga: 7:30 a.m., Albany, Science 101


Register for Dance Fitness: 5 p.m., Troy, Robison Gym


TUESDAYS


Open Discussion with College Chaplain: Tuesdays, noon, Buchman, Troy 

Bring thoughts, interests, concerns, or listen and enjoy the company.


Register for Yoga: 5:15 p.m., Troy, McKinstry 206


WEDNESDAYS


Register for Zumba Fitness: 5:30 p.m., Troy, Robison Gym


Fridays


✨JUST ADDED: Register for Flexibility and Mobility, noon-1 p.m., Troy, McKinstry 206

 

Keep in Mind

 
Workout plan chart and gray sneakers on a wooden surface
A paper grocery bag with assorted fresh produce and food items on a white background

Free Fitness and Nutrition Consultations


The Recreation and Fitness Department is offering personalized support to help you move and eat well! To make an appointment or ask questions, email Joe Michaud.


Fitness Consultations — McKinstry Fitness Center, Troy

Meet with Certified Personal Trainer Bila Bonifacio. Appointments available:


👟Monday: 2-6 p.m.

👟Wednesday: 1-4 p.m.

👟Friday: noon-3 p.m.


Nutrition Consultations — FitStop, Albany Armory

Walk in or make an appointment to meet with Nutrition graduate student RJ Burkitt for information (not guidance from a Registered Dietitian; Registered Dietitian education in progress).


🍏Mondays: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

🍏 Tuesdays: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

🍏Thursdays: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Children in tie-dye shirts on stage and pointing with a colorful mural backdrop.

TIS Kids, TIS Teens, and Summer on Stage — Register Now!


The Theatre Institute at Sage is excited to announce four shows being produced exclusively for K-12 students, its biggest season ever! Sage community members get $100 off registration for a new program for 6-12 year olds, a revamped summer camp, and the popular TIS Teens program. Email Eddie Knight for more information.

Beyond BMI: Student Research Study

Seeks Volunteers


Curious whether BMI really tells the whole story about health? A student research study is looking for volunteers age 18-60 to help compare different, affordable ways of measuring body composition. Learn more about the study and sign up, or email Lilliana Langdon with questions.

Green square with words Thrive at Russell Sage

Take a Break with the Wellness Center


🌿 Book the massage chair in Albany


🌿 Book the massage chair in Troy.


🌿 Purchase health essentials, including contraceptives, pain relief, menstrual care, and basic first aid at the Troy Wellness Center’s vending machine.


Free tax help at Troy Public Library, across Second Street from the Troy campus, Thursdays, through April 9. Walk-ins welcome; appointments can also be scheduled. Visit www.tax.ny.gov/tap.

Find past issues of Coffee Break in the newsletter archive.

For reference:



 

Thanks for Reading!

 

Send announcements for the Coffee Break (employees) or Solutions (students) newsletters to newsletter@sage.edu by the end of the day on Wednesday to appear in the following week’s issues.

 

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